z77http://www.maximumpc.com/taxonomy/term/20186/
enZ77 Motherboard Showdownhttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/forums/z77_showdown77
<!--paging_filter--><h3>Midrange mobos square off</h3>
<p>Not all midrange motherboards are created the same. Sure, these <strong>Z77</strong>&nbsp;<strong>motherboards</strong> all have a black-and-blue color scheme, and they all carry similar street prices, but differences emerge when it comes to features, specs, and performance. Which one should you pair with your new 22nm Ivy Bridge CPU? Glad you asked.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H</h3>
<p>Of all the boards here, we’re most intimately familiar with <a title="gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H" href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/%5Bprimary-term%5D/gigabyte_ga-z77x-ud5h_review" target="_blank">Gigabyte’s GA-Z77X-UD5H</a>. It’s the board we used for the bulk of our Core i7-3770K testing, and one thing we can say, it’s stable. We’ve literally run more than 50 hours of benchmarks on this board without any issue.</p>
<p>For a sub-$200 board, there are plenty of features, with the most eye-catching being a ton of USB support, including four USB 3.0 ports plus three USB 3.0 headers. This is done using VIA’s USB 3.0 controllers plus the new native support from the Intel Z77 chipset. Unfortunately, features didn’t trump performance. The Gigabyte was smoked by Asus’s super-secret Turbo modes in the benchmarks.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u152332/z77x-ud5hrev1.0-bb_small.jpg" alt="Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H" title="Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H" width="612" height="476" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>We hit our highest auto-overclock with the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H.</strong></p>
<p>The Gigabyte gets payback by surpassing the two others here in auto-overclocking, hitting 4.5GHz and even offering an unstable 4.68GHz setting. The others topped out on auto at 4.2GHz. The mSATA slot may be the board’s most noticeable feature, though, but we’re not sure it makes sense on a full-size board. Perhaps if it came with the SSD module; but we don’t see any actual advantage to it, particularly since using it disables one SATA port.</p>
<p>Overall, the GA-Z77X-UD5H is a feature-rich mobo for its midrange price. The slot configuration is also a better balance with just one PCI slot instead of two. You get far more I/O and higher auto-overclocks than with the other two boards. Hell, it even comes with probe ports for those of you into the overclocking sports.</p>
<div class="lowdown">
<div class="module orange-module article-module verdict-block"><span class="module-name-header" style="font-size: 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #000;">Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H</span><br />
<div class="module-content" style="margin-top: -20px;">
<div class="module-text full">
<div class="product-verdict">
<div class="positive"><span class="header">Monster Taco<br /></span>
<p>Tons o’ USB support, plus FireWire and eSATA.</p>
</div>
<div class="negative"><span class="header">Monster Truck<br /></span>
<p>Empty mSATA makes us sad.</p>
</div>
<div class="verdict"><img src="/sites/maximumpc.com/themes/maximumpc/i/mxpc_8.jpg" alt="score:8" title="score:8" width="210" height="80" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong>$189, <a href="http://www.gigabyte.us" target="_blank">www.gigabyte.us</a></strong></p>
<h3>Asus P8Z77-V</h3>
<p>Apparently budget board means legacy support. That’s what we inferred from <a title="asus mobo" href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/%5Bprimary-term%5D/asus_p8z77-v_review" target="_blank">Asus’s P8Z77-V board</a>, which has a quaint PS/2 port and not one, but two PCI slots. Don’t think that means Asus cheaped out on more modern amenities, though. Although there’s no eSATA or FireWire, Asus includes some truly compelling features such as onboard Wi-Fi, an Intel LAN controller, incredibly fast USB 3.0, and a revamped Fan Xpert 2.</p>
<p>What’s so exciting about Fan Xpert 2? Plug fans of different makes and speeds into any of the four auxillary fan headers and the board will automatically measure the minimum and maximum speed of each fan and tune them for you with the most advanced fan-tuning applet we’ve ever seen from a board maker. If fans don’t get you hot, consider the board’s Turbo mode speeds, which trounce all others by hefty margins.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u152332/asus1_small_0.jpg" alt="Asus P8Z77-V" title="Asus P8Z77-V" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Asus P8Z77-V excels with bundled Wi-Fi and impressive USB 3.0 speed.</strong></p>
<p>Like Gigabyte, Asus pushes the Ivy Bridge chip harder than MSI. On Turbo with single- and multi-threaded loads, the Asus hit 3.9GHz. The MSI board was more conservative at 3.7GHz on most workloads.</p>
<p>Overall, we give the nod to the P8Z77-V in this roundup for its performance and useful features, but we can see why someone would go for the Gigabyte for sheer port madness and eSATA and FireWire needs.</p>
<div class="lowdown">
<div class="module orange-module article-module verdict-block"><span class="module-name-header" style="font-size: 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #000;">Asus P8Z77-V</span><br />
<div class="module-content" style="margin-top: -20px;">
<div class="module-text full">
<div class="product-verdict">
<div class="positive"><span class="header">Deep Fried Oreo<br /></span>
<p>Fan fans will love Fan Xpert 2; stellar performance.</p>
</div>
<div class="negative"><span class="header">Deep Fried Butter<br /></span>
<p>No eSATA, no FireWire.</p>
</div>
<div class="verdict"><img src="/sites/maximumpc.com/themes/maximumpc/i/mxpc_9.jpg" alt="score:9" title="score:9" width="210" height="80" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong>$189, <a href="http://www.asus.com" target="_blank">www.asus.com</a></strong></p>
<p><em>Click on page 2 to read the MSI's Z77A-GD65 review.</em></p>
<hr />
<h3>MSI Z77A-GD65</h3>
<p>Midrange boards typically have to sacrifice features to get under $200 and <a title="z77a-gd65 review" href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/%5Bprimary-term%5D/msi_z77a-gd65_review">MSI’s Z77A-GD65</a> shows evidence of this philosophy. It’s the only board here without a discrete USB 3.0 controller, instead relying on the native Intel chipset for all USB 3.0. It’s also the only board without DisplayPort.</p>
<p>Folks still rolling PCI components will also have to look elsewhere, as MSI ditches the legacy expansion slot for another PCIe slot.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u152332/msi3_small.jpg" alt="MSI Z77A-GD65" title="MSI Z77A-GD65" width="608" height="442" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>MSI shaved costs by jettisoning extra USB 3.0 ports on the Z77A-GD65.</strong></p>
<p>Don’t take this to mean MSI cut out all the frills. The board has onboard power and reset switches, overclocking voltage contacts, an LED POST readout, and, like the two others here, offers both CrossFireX and SLI as well as LucidLogix Virtu support.</p>
<p>In performance, MSI takes the safe road by keeping the clocks lower than the other two boards. At stock speeds, the board topped out at 3.7GHz on multithreaded loads and generally bounced around 3.8GHz with single-threaded loads. The two others here ran full tilt at 3.9GHz on all workloads. Overall, the performance among the trio is generally close.</p>
<p>Like the Gigabyte, MSI’s board is obviously intended for Ivy Bridge chips. Why? The last x16 PCIe 3.0 slot only works with an Ivy Bridge. If you intend to run an older Sandy Bridge chip, the slot is deactivated, as SNB doesn’t have enough PCIe bandwidth to run it. By sticking with PCIe 2.0 from the peripheral controller hub, the Asus’s third x16 is hot no matter which chip you run.</p>
<p>The Z77A-GD65 is a fine board at its price, but yuan for yuan, the Asus and Gigabyte simply outclass it in extra features and specsmanship.</p>
<div class="lowdown">
<div class="module orange-module article-module verdict-block"><span class="module-name-header" style="font-size: 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #000;">MSI Z77A-GD65</span><br />
<div class="module-content" style="margin-top: -20px;">
<div class="module-text full">
<div class="product-verdict">
<div class="positive"><span class="header">Krispy Kreme Burger<br /></span>
<p>Intel LAN controller; OC Genie works well.</p>
</div>
<div class="negative"><span class="header">Deep Fried Pickle<br /></span>
<p>Not enough USB 3.0 ports; no DisplayPort</p>
</div>
<div class="verdict"><img src="/sites/maximumpc.com/themes/maximumpc/i/mxpc_7.jpg" alt="score:7" title="score:7" width="210" height="80" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong>$189, <a href="http://www.msi.com" target="_blank">www.msi.com</a></strong></p>
<div class="module orange-module article-module"><span class="module-name">Benchmarks</span><br />
<div class="module-content">
<div class="module-text full">
<div class="spec-table orange">
<table style="width: 627px; height: 270px;" border="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="head-empty"> </th>
<th class="head-light">Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H</th>
<th>Asus P8Z77-V</th>
<th>MSI Z77A-GD65</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="item">3DMark11 Overall</td>
<td class="item-dark">P6,052</td>
<td><strong>P6,308</strong></td>
<td>P6,221</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PCMark 7 Overall</td>
<td>3,549</td>
<td><strong>3,739</strong></td>
<td>3,603</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="item">PCMark 7 Lightweight</td>
<td class="item-dark">2,526</td>
<td><strong>2,755</strong></td>
<td>2,584</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PCMark 7 Productivity</td>
<td>2,387</td>
<td><strong>2,610</strong></td>
<td>2,380</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Valve Particle (fps)</td>
<td>203</td>
<td><strong>208</strong></td>
<td>190</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="item">SiSoft Sandra 2012 (GB/s)</td>
<td class="item-dark">21</td>
<td><strong>21.3</strong></td>
<td>20.72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="item">SATA 6Gb/s read (MB/s)</td>
<td class="item-dark">497.9</td>
<td><strong>509.9</strong></td>
<td>484.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SATA 6Gb/s write (MB/s)</td>
<td>230.4</td>
<td><strong>247.1</strong></td>
<td>234.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="item">Native USB 3.0 read (MB/s) </td>
<td class="item-dark">250.2</td>
<td><strong>429.9</strong></td>
<td>250.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Native USB 3.0 write (MB/s)</td>
<td>177.5</td>
<td><strong>181.3</strong></td>
<td>177.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Discrete USB 3.0 read (MB/s)</td>
<td>243.2</td>
<td><strong>324.5</strong></td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Discrete USB 3.0 write (MB/s)</td>
<td>178.1</td>
<td><strong>181.8</strong><strong><br /></strong></td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="item">&nbsp;SLI Compliance</td>
<td class="item-dark">Yes</td>
<td>Yes</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32GB Compliance</td>
<td>Yes</td>
<td>Yes</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Auto Overclock</td>
<td><strong>4.5GHz</strong></td>
<td>4.2GHz</td>
<td>4.2GHz</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>Best scores are bolded. We used a Core i7-3770K, 8GB of DDR3/1866 set at DDR3/1600, a WD Raptor 150, a GeForce GTX 580, and 64-bit Windows 7 Professional in all of our motherboards. SATA 6Gb/s speeds were measured with CrystalDiskMark 3.01 and an OWC Mercury Extreme SSD. USB 3.0 speeds were measured with CrystalDiskMark and a Patriot Wildfire SSD in a USB 3.0 enclosure using an Asmedia controller. 32GB compliance was measured with four 8GB DDR3 modules.</em></p>
<p><em>NOTE: This article appeared in the August 2012 issue of the <a title="maximum pc magazine subscription" href="https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/IM/MAX/MAX-subscribe.jsp?cds_page_id=63027&amp;cds_mag_code=MAX&amp;id=1352487478147&amp;lsid=23141257580048819&amp;vid=1&amp;cds_response_key=IHTH29A0N" target="_blank">magazine</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/forums/z77_showdown77#commentsAsus P8Z77-VbestcheapGigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5HHardwarei5i7intelivy bridgemidrangemobomotherboardMSI Z77A-GD65z77AugustMotherboardsReviewsForumsFeaturesFri, 09 Nov 2012 21:30:00 +0000Gordon Mah Ung24215 at http://www.maximumpc.comNo BS Podcast #186: The Second-Loneliest Numberhttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/no_bs_podcast/no_bs_podcast_186_second-loneliest_number
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u57670/pod_logo_300x300.jpg" width="228" height="228" style="float: right;" /></p>
<p>If one is the loneliest number, two is the second-loneliest number. Right?&nbsp;<a href="http://dl.maximumpc.com/maxpc_186_20120612.mp3">Episode 186 of the No BS Podcast</a>&nbsp;finds Deputy Editor Gordon Mah Ung and Senior Editor Nathan Edwards trapped together in the podcasting studio, trying not to freak out.</p>
<p>We couldn't avoid talking about the new MacsBook Pro and Air (just a little bit), but then get back to our roots with talk of three Z77 motherboards, some trouble in SSD-land, Origin vs Steam smack talk, and more Windows 8 thoughts. Baby Duck Syndrome! Design patents! "It's all, what do you call it, subjective."</p>
<p>Nathan reports back from his trip to the Palo Alto Microsoft Store, we wave goodbye to the old Lab, introduce our new benchmark suite, and give just a few hints about this year's Dream Machine.</p>
<p>Nathan rebuilds his home machine for no good reason, Gordon mixes up the Brat and the Rat Pack, and we argue about whether we even need optical drives anymore.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Gordon rants about the internet dying, constant superhero movie reboots, and government-funded superhero teams.&nbsp;</p>
<p>By the way, if you haven't picked up the <a href="https://www.humblebundle.com/">Humble Bundle V</a>, you have less than a day!</p>
<p>And, of course, much more. So much we should probably start keeping notes or something.&nbsp;Tune in next time; we'll have guests! Guests to fill the gaping hole in our hearts and podcasts.</p>
<p>Computer trouble?&nbsp;A secret to share?&nbsp;Opinions? Need advice? Just need to get something off your chest? &nbsp;Email us at maximumpcpodcast@gmail.com or call our 24-hour No BS Podcast hotline at 877.404.1337 x1337--operators are not standing by.</p>
<div>
<p>Subscribe:&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/maximumpc/1337">http://feeds.feedburner.com/maximumpc/1337</a></p>
<p><a href="http://dl.maximumpc.com/maxpc_186_20120612.mp3" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/future.p2technology.com/files/imce-images/rss-audiomp3.png" width="80" height="15" style="border: 0px initial initial;" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/maximumpc/1337"><img src="/sites/future.p2technology.com/files/imce-images/chicklet_rss-2_0.png" alt="chicklet_rss-2.0.png" title="chicklet_rss-2.0.png" width="80" height="15" style="border: 0px initial initial;" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=213247824"><img src="/sites/future.p2technology.com/files/imce-images/chicklet_itunes.gif" alt="chicklet_itunes.gif" title="chicklet_itunes.gif" width="80" height="15" style="border: 0px initial initial;" /></a></p>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/no_bs_podcast/no_bs_podcast_186_second-loneliest_number#commentsbaby duck syndromebattleship the movie the gamecomputexDream Machine 2012geforce gtx 690microsoft storesandforcewindows 8 rpz77No BS PodcastThu, 14 Jun 2012 01:36:57 +0000The Maximum PC Staff23577 at http://www.maximumpc.comG.Skill Hurls New TridentX DDR3 Memory Kits at Ivy Bridgehttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/gskill_hurls_new_tridentx_ddr3_memory_kits_ivy_bridge
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u69/adata_trident.jpg" width="228" height="162" style="float: right;" />With Intel having finally and officially launched its much anticipated Ivy Bridge platform yesterday, the floodgates have been opened for a new generation of parts and accessories designed to play nice with the Santa Clara chip maker's 3rd generation Core processors. One of those companies is G.Skill, makers of high performance system memory like the new TridentX DDR3 series.</p>
<p>Anyone is welcome to pick up a TridentX kit and run with it, however the new sticks are really designed for overclocking enthusiasts. To prove it, <a href="http://www.gskill.com/news.php?index=560">G.Skill posted</a> a couple of screenshots showing a 16GB DDR3-2800 TridentX memory kit running at 3,320MHz and a 32GB DDR3-2666 kit running at 2,933MHz.</p>
<p>TridentX memory kits range in stock frequency from 2,400MHz to 2,800MHz in 8GB to 32GB capacities. Each kit sports a removable top fin for added flexibility when installing the RAM into cramped systems with large CPU coolers.</p>
<p>No word yet on price or availability.</p>
<p>Image Credit: G.Skill</p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/gskill_hurls_new_tridentx_ddr3_memory_kits_ivy_bridge#commentsBuild a PCDDR3g.skillHardwareivy bridgeMemoryramtridentxz77NewsTue, 24 Apr 2012 12:53:31 +0000Paul Lilly23186 at http://www.maximumpc.comAsus Z77/H77 Motherboards Getting Thunderbolt Support Via An Expansion Cardhttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/asus_z77h77_motherboards_getting_thunderbolt_support_expansion_card
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u138055/tb_header.jpg" width="228" height="179" style="float: right;" />When you're talking the Z77 chipset, one thing springs to mind first and foremost: Ivy Bridge. Intel's upcoming CPU isn't the only newcomer to the game, though, as Z77 is the first Intel desktop chipset to support the company's high-speed Thunderbolt interface -- assuming a Thunderbolt controller is on the mobo, of course. Most of Asus' Z77/H77 'boards have lacked an integrated controller, but it looks like Thunderbolt compatibility is coming thanks to an upcoming expansion card.</p>
<p><a href="http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-z77-h77-boards-get-thunderbolt-support-expansion-card-sold-separately/15598.html">Asus told VR-Zone</a> that the majority of the company's H77/Z77 retail mobos will be able to accommodate the Thunderbolt expansion card, which is set to launch on the 27th of this month. It's no freebie, though; you'll have to lay out an unspecified amount of cash to acquire a Thunderbolt controller card. Once you have one in hand, it'll hook up to the TB_HEADER pictured above.</p>
<p>Here's the list of supported motherboards:</p>
<ul>
<li>Maximus V Gene</li>
<li>P8Z77-V Deluxe</li>
<li>P8Z77-V Pro</li>
<li>P8Z77-V</li>
<li>Sabertooth Z77</li>
<li>P8H77-V</li>
<li>P8H77-M Pro</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Image credit: VR-Zone</em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/asus_z77h77_motherboards_getting_thunderbolt_support_expansion_card#commentsasush77Hardwaremobomotherboardthunderboltz77NewsWed, 18 Apr 2012 18:16:31 +0000Brad Chacos23156 at http://www.maximumpc.comAsus Maximus V Gene Carries Next Generation Features in a Micro ATX Form Factorhttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/asus_maximus_v_gene_carries_next_generation_features_micro_atx_form_factor
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u69/asus_maximus_v_gene.jpg" width="228" height="161" style="float: right;" />The floodgates have been <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/z77_ivy_bridge-ready_mobos_flood_streets">opened</a> and motherboards built around Intel's brand spanking new Z77 Express chipset continue to pour into the market place. One of the <a href="http://usa.asus.com/News/3hjiQEHQkh7mN7YX/">newest to wash up</a> is the Maximus V Gene, a Republic of Gamers (ROG) board from Asus. Like all Z77 boards, the Maximus V Gene is an LGA 1155 motherboard, but it's also one of the first to flaunt next-gen features in a micro-ATX form factor.</p>
<p>Despite its smallish stature, Asus found room to cram four DDR3 DIMM slots with support for up 32GB of memory clocked at 2800MHz (OC). The <a href="http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/Maximus_V_GENE/">Maximus V Gene</a> also features a pair of PCI-E x16 3.0 slots, a single PCI-E 4x 2.0 slot, a PCI-E x1 2.0 slot and SATA 3Gbps port on a mini PCI-E combo card, HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, six USB 3.0 ports, eight USB 2.0 ports, four SATA 6Gbps ports, two SATA 3Gbps ports, and an eSATA port.</p>
<p>Asus says it built the Maximus V Gene for overclocking, and towards that end, the board boasts an 8+2+2 (CPU, iGPU, DRAM) phase design with precise digital power control from two DIGI+ controllers. You'll also find ROG UEFI BIOS functions such as pre-configured memory IC profiles.</p>
<p>Asus didn't say when the Maximus V Gene will ship or for how much. Ivy Bridge, however, is scheduled to come out later this month.</p>
<p><em>Image Credit: Asus</em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/asus_maximus_v_gene_carries_next_generation_features_micro_atx_form_factor#commentsasusBuild a PCchipsetHardwareintelivy bridgemaximus v genemotherboardz77NewsMon, 09 Apr 2012 13:49:21 +0000Paul Lilly23089 at http://www.maximumpc.comZ77 Ivy Bridge-Ready Mobos Flood The Streetshttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/z77_ivy_bridge-ready_mobos_flood_streets
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u138055/asrock_z77.jpg" width="228" height="186" style="float: right;" />"Finally, now the meat of the systems are starting to come out," Maximum PC reader I Jedi exhaled in the comments of our earlier article about <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/biostar_launches_tz77xe4_motherboard_ivy_bridge">the new Biostar TZ77XE4 Motherboard</a>. If he only knew how right he was: since the Biostar news went live, a bevy of companies have announced new 7-series-supporting mobos of their own, including ASRock, MSI and Gigabyte.</p>
<p>All of the Z77 boards rock the LGA 1155 socket and come compatible with both the existing Sandy Bridge and upcoming Ivy Bridge chips. As Paul said earlier, though, Sandy Bridge-E chips use socket 2011 and won't work so well -- and by that, we mean at all -- if you try to cram one into an Ivy Bridge mobo. These motherboards and the upcoming Ivy Bridge CPUs support the speedy 6Gbps PCI-E 3.0 standard. </p>
<p>Every manufacturer puts its own spin on things, of course, to try and separate themselves from the cloud, and today's announcement are no different. Amongst other things, <a href="http://www.gigabyte.com/press-center/news-page.aspx?nid=1114">Gigabyte's Z77 boards</a> include a dual UEFI BIOS and an "All Digital" power controller design; <a href="http://www.techpowerup.com/163690/MSI-Announces-All-New-Intel-7-Series-Mainboards.html">MSI's offerings rock</a> a OC Genie II overclocking button and class III military grade components; and <a href="http://www.asrock.com/news/index.asp?cat=News&amp;ID=426">ASRock's Ivy Bridge boards</a> sport performance-boosting XFast RAM, XFast LAN and XFast USB technologies. Hit those links for press releases containing plenty more details about the 7-series boards from each manufacturer.</p>
<p>Being flooded with Ivy Bridge mobos makes it feel like the rumors that Ivy Bridge is supposed to launch on the 29th of this month are true, eh? Note, however, that none of those press releases mention any prices or release dates.</p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/z77_ivy_bridge-ready_mobos_flood_streets#commentsasrockgigabyteHardwareintelivy bridgemobomobosmotherboardsmsiz77NewsFri, 06 Apr 2012 17:05:20 +0000Brad Chacos23078 at http://www.maximumpc.comEVGA Releases New Details on Upcoming 7 Series Motherboard http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/evga_releases_new_details_upcoming_7_series_motherboard
<!--paging_filter--><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u46173/evga_7_series_board_01.jpg"><img src="/files/u46173/evga_7_series_board_01small.jpg" alt="EVGA" style="float: right;" /></a>It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that EVGA would be launching something in the 7 series to serve the influx of new Ivy Bridge upgraders, and <a href="http://www.techpowerup.com/162100/EVGA-Offers-Quick-Peek-at-7-Series-(LGA-1155)-Motherboard.html">Techpowerup</a> got a sneak peak at what they have in mind. They didn’t name the board per say, but from the looks of the photo above, the Z77 FTW would be a safe guess.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The board appears to feature four DDR3 memory slots, five PCI-Express x16 slots, and while it’s not confirmed, it is suspected at least two of these will be PCIe 3.0. Always welcome additions include PCIe disable switches, a debug LED, angled 24-pin ATX power input, and CMOS reset button just in-case you get in over your head while overclocking.</p>
<p>The 8 available SATA ports shown feature four 6.0 Gbps and four 3.0 Gbps inputs, along with Gigabit Ethernet, and what appears to be a Thunderbolt port. Thunderbolt is considerably less useful at this point than the USB 3 ports right beside it, but it’s always nice to have options.&nbsp;</p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/evga_releases_new_details_upcoming_7_series_motherboard#commentsevgaHardwareintelivy bridgemotherboardsz77NewsMon, 12 Mar 2012 01:49:22 +0000Justin Kerr22893 at http://www.maximumpc.comBiostar Announces TZ77XE4 Motherboard for Intel's Ivy Bridge Platformhttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/biostar_announces_tz77xe4_motherboard_intels_ivy_bridge_platform
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u69/biostar_tz77xe4.jpg" width="228" height="182" style="float: right;" />Motherboard makers are just as anxious for Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge launch as the rest of us are, and some of them have already begun rolling out slabs of silicon built around the Z77 chipset. Such is the case with Biostar, which unveiled its TZ77XE4 motherboard at CeBIT 2012. The TZ77XE4 is a socket 1155 part with native SuperSpeed USB 3.0 support.</p>
<p>"The most frequent word combination in description of the new flagship lineup will be 'for the first time' because the TZ77XE4 boards house a great deal of innovative technologies not found even in premium desktop solutions," Biostar explains.</p>
<p>"The TZ77XE4 boards are based on the latest Intel Z77 chipset, which for the first time incorporates tri-gate transistors manufactured using the 22nm fab process which, for the first time, delivers a native support for the high-speed USB 3.0 interface and fast SSD caching with the Intel Smart Response Technology (SRT)," Biostar continues. "Fully compatible with the second-generation Intel Core CPUs (Sandy Bridge), the new boards for the first time support the third generation Intel Core CPUs codenamed Ivy Bridge, also manufactured with the 3D-transistors using the 22-nm fab process and designed for the popular LGA 1155 socket."</p>
<p>Biostar's feature-packed board boasts support for up to four SATA 3Gbps and four SATA 6Gbps drives supplemented with RAID 0/1/5/10. It has eight USB 2.0 and four USB 3.0 ports, a GbE LAN port, 8+2 channel HD audio with THX TruStudio Pro technology, and a UEFI BIOS.</p>
<p>Of interest to overclockers are the new power supply circuits that utilize a 13-phase regulation system, as well as reliable solid-state capacitors, Biostar says.</p>
<p>No word yet on price or availability.</p>
<p>Image Credit: Biostar</p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/biostar_announces_tz77xe4_motherboard_intels_ivy_bridge_platform#commentsBiostarBuild a PCcebitcebit 2012Hardwareivy bridgemotherboardtz77xe4z77NewsTue, 14 Feb 2012 13:55:07 +0000Paul Lilly22675 at http://www.maximumpc.com